"I would tell myself what I am constantly telling myself to this day: Slow down a little and let go a little. I think a lot of founders are very Type A, like I am, and are perfectionists, like I am. We love this idea that we have and we love the process of bringing that to fruition, and so we get caught up in the work that it takes to make that happen. I sometimes wouldn't sleep or eat because I just wanted to get one more thing done so that Nile could come alive just that much sooner. But the only deadlines in place were the ones that I created for myself, and the business doesn't continue if I wear myself out. I consistently try to remind myself to rest a bit and pace myself. It's hard, especially now that we are in launch mode. But it's necessary, because, I'm still a human! I just wish that I would have known a good way to keep myself centered and paced when I started this journey so that I could have made that my standard as I created this business. Now I am trying to shift from the "work till you drop" mode and it's so much harder to move away from that mindset." ––Khadijah Robinson

Happy Birthday to some of our RULErs with March birthdays! 

Ywanda Kimbrough Carter
Gaybrielle LeAnn Gant
Amber Grant
Morris Borenstein
Stephanie Taylor
Marisa Vigilante

(Did I miss your birthday? Do you want to be included in the next round of birthday shoutouts? Submit your name and birthday here.)
 

The results from the South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday are in and, unsurprisingly, Black voters in the South turned out overwhelmingly in favor of former Vice President Joe Biden. Two observations that I've been following:

• Democratic candidates have spent a record amount of money courting African Americans this primary season
• neither of the leading candidates have economic platforms that specifically target Black Americans

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The billionaire candidates spent millions courting Black voters 
 

Tom Steyer, the hedge fund billionaire who went viral for backing that thang up with Juvenile last weekend, spent millions courting Black voters in South Carolina. According to The New York Times:

• the Steyer campaign spent roughly $14 million on local broadcast ads in the state, including many Black-owned news organizations
• he spent "lavishly" with Black-owned businesses: hiring Black staffers from local communities, hosting events at Black-owned venues, and employing Black vendors

But no one has spent more money this primary season than former NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg. While his overall campaign spending is enormous––by mid-February he had already spent more than $400 million on advertising alone––he has also been throwing record-breaking sums of money at Black-owned news organizations and businesses: 

• The Bloomberg campaign is spending a record $3.5 million to advertise his presidential campaign in the black news media 
• His charitable contributions over the years have resulted in a remarkable number of Black mayors endorsing him 
• He has employed a Black-owned print company, PR firm, and creative agency
• and released a nationwide TV ad touting his support for Black-owned businesses

Biden & Bernie lack robust Black economic agendas

While other candidates and former candidates like Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Mike Bloomberg have laid out plans that addressing the economic needs of Black Americans, neither of the current leading candidates have plans in their platforms that specifically target Black Americans.

Joe Biden's somewhat vague "Plan to Invest in Middle Class Competitiveness" says nothing about how he will specifically help Black Americans. And while Bernie Sanders' Racial Justice plan is commendable, his approach to economic justice is not race-specific. This is notable because the historic and systemic economic injustices leveled against Black Americans specifically, need solutions that are specifically for Black Americans.

As we move forward in this election cycle, we as Black Americans must demand race-specific economic solutions from the remaining Democratic candidates.

Congratulations are in order for:

-–Marquita Farmer recently landed a new position as Executive Administrator at Esperanza Health Center. In this role she will be working with federal grants and various other projects that create greater access to health for medically underserved communities in North Philadelphia. Congrats, Marquita!

Tech Industry Fuels Reverse Migration For Black Americans // NBC Nightly News

Budget of Millennial Millionaire who Saves 80% of his Income // Millennial Millionaire